Schools
Mask Policy Sparks Protest By Parents In Harford County
Harford County parents and children protested the school system's mandatory face mask policy outside the school board building.
BEL AIR, MD — The Harford County Board of Education meeting in Bel Air was disrupted Monday night by those protesting the school system's mandatory mask policy.
When the Harford County Board of Education met Monday night, masks were required.
Parents began gathering outside the Board of Education building at 102 S. Hickory Ave. at 5:30 p.m. protesting the mask mandate, and the demonstration continued through the board meeting.
Find out what's happening in Bel Airfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Starting Monday, Aug. 16, masks were required in all school buildings by Harford County Public Schools, which said the measure would allow the school system to limit the number of people who would have to quarantine, in accordance with federal guidance.
Within the first 10 minutes of the school board meeting, members of the public were dismissed from the board room and told they had to be escorted in one at a time due to the noise.
Find out what's happening in Bel Airfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Harford County Board of Education President Rachel Gauthier said she was "very disappointed that we were not able to continue with the meeting in person."
Continued Gauthier: "However, this is a business meeting at the end of the day, and we will be conducting it as such. If people cannot seem to act appropriately as they would in their place of business, then it will not be allowed for them to stay here."
People were allowed to enter the boardroom one at a time to speak after being called by the board secretary and admitted by staff and security personnel.
"I don't appreciate all the jeering and yelling that we had going on in the board room," said Carol Mueller, vice president of the school board, during her comments at the outset of the meeting.
The business meeting began at 6:30 p.m. in the A.A. Roberty Building with board members, staff and presenters attending virtually as well as in person.
Seating for the public had been capped at 60 and was to be available on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Harford County Public Schools.
The meeting was streamed live online.
This is a developing story and will be updated. Get Patch news alerts.
See Also: Harford County Public Schools Issues Guidance On Masks
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
